COULTER URGES FULL TIME NURSE FOR RATHLIN
(slink img=robertcoulter-large.jpg]Rev Dr Robert Coulter, the Ulster Unionist Party Assembly member for North Antrim and UUP Stormont Commissioner, has called on the Northern Health Trust and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to fund a full-time, permanent nurse for Rathlin Island .
Assemblyman Dr Coulter, who is a member of the Stormont Health Committee, said the present nursing cover was only part-time and that residents, tourists and visitors needed “a full-time nursing presence”.
He added: “The people on Rathlin do not enjoy the same medical luxury as the North Antrim mainland when it comes to getting to a casualty facility. While we can mostly drive to an area hospital, the folk on Rathlin – whether residents or visitors – must embark on a boat journey, and that also depends on favourable weather conditions.
“In calling for full-time, permanent nursing cover, I am responding to a situation highlighted in the aftermath of the well-publicised incident involving a lifeboat.
“I will be taking the matter up with both the Northern Health Trust and our Health Minister Michael McGimpsey in the hope that funding can be made available to provide the much-needed full-time nursing cover for the islanders.
“As we near the first anniversary of the return of legislative, devolved government to Northern Ireland , already there is evidence that more people – especially young people – are visiting Rathlin, which is gaining a very credible reputation as one of the constituency’s leading tourist spots.
“With the increase in people comes the responsibility on our local administration to provide the necessary medical care.
“I hope it will not be too long before it can be formally announced that Rathlin will be treated like any other part of the North Antrim constituency, enjoying permanent access to full-time nursing cover,” said Assemblyman Dr Coulter.